Archive · 29 Oct 2025
Delhi Sets 6+ Years as Minimum Age for Class 1 Admission from 2026-27
Delhi is changing the rules for when kids can start first grade.
Starting in the school year that begins in 2026, children must be at least 6 years old when they begin first grade.
This new rule is like a special countdown that also applies to the earlier grades, like nursery and kindergarten.
So, if a child starts nursery when they are 3, they will be 6 when they are ready for first grade.
This change is happening in all schools in Delhi, including government and private ones.
The goal is to make sure kids are the right age for their grade, just like the country's education plan suggests.
The current school year (2025-26) will still follow the old rules.
Delhi government will implement a uniform minimum age of 6+ years for Class 1 admission from the 2026-27 academic session.
The revised age criteria aligns with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The new age structure also revises criteria for Nursery (3+ to 4 years), Lower KG (4+ to 5 years), and Upper KG (5+ to 6 years).
The age criteria will not be applicable for the current academic session 2025-26.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has informed all schools under its jurisdiction about the new age criteria.
- Who
- Delhi government's Directorate of Education (DoE)
- What
- Implementing a uniform minimum age of 6+ years for Class 1 admission and revised age criteria for the foundational stage.
- When
- Effective from the academic year 2026-27. Not applicable for the 2025-26 session.
- Where
- Delhi, India
- Why
- To align with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and standardize admission ages.
- Effective Date
- Academic Year 2026-27
- New Minimum Age for Class 1
- 6+ years
- Age for Nursery (Balvatika 1)
- 3+ to 4 years
- Age for Lower KG (Balvatika 2)
- 4+ to 5 years
- Age for Upper KG (Balvatika 3)
- 5+ to 6 years
- Age for Class 1
- 6+ to 7 years
- Applicable Schools
- Government, Government-aided, and recognised private schools